THE number of fatalities in the massive landslide that buried dozens of homes in the City of Naga, Cebu, has increased to 33 and several others remained missing as of 5 p.m. Friday, September 21.
The landslide, which happened early morning Thursday, September 20, buried around 24 houses in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an and Barangay Naalad, sending rescuers scrambling to find survivors after some sent text messages pleading for help.
Search and rescue operation is ongoing.
The City of Naga Police Station said among those killed in the incident were:
1. Althea Siton, 4 years old
2. Olivia Meneses Moral, 63
3. Annabel Lobiano, 40
4. Romeo Jabonilia, 40
5. Miss X
6. Mr. X
7. Francisco Yopac, 60
8. Michael Versales, 16
9. Mark Laurence Campanilla, 3
10. Vianca Versales, 19
11. Mr. X
12. Raul Gepuit, 47
13. Laura Capoy, 52
14. Bb girl Campanilla
15. Baby girl campanilla
16. Nina Siton
17. Crystal Jean Siton
18. Lauro Campanilla
19. Juanito Siton, 42
20. Emeliana Siton, 85
21. Unidentified
22. Jocelyn Siton
23. Mrs. X
24. Aracelle Lobiano, 49
25. Lance Noah Lobiano, 7
26. Jemuel Campanilla, 12
27. Jazwel Campanilla, 8
28. Lemuel Campanilla, 33
29. Jenessa Campanilla, 32
Injured were:
1. Rose Ann Lobiano, 40
2. Christopher Semillar, 44
3. Nestor Capoy, 52
4. Junalyn Siton, 16
5. Basilla Omambac, 58
6. Sidney Ravanes, 35
7. Babyjane Ravanes, 8
A woman, identified as Eliasah Siton, was pulled alive from the landslide.
Troops and police have forcibly evacuated residents of five villages s vulnerable to landslides after the collapse of the mountainside Thursday.
Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Debold Sinas said Friday, September 21, that some residents had left on their own but the bulk of more than 1,200 villagers were forcibly moved by authorities Thursday night, September 20.
Survivors heard a thunderous roar, crashing and banging when the mountainside fell onto rural houses and shanties in Naga on Thursday morning. Some trapped in the sludge managing to text pleas for help but the messages stopped within a few hours.
Authorities have limited the number of rescuers and other people inside the stricken villages, fearing heavy rains on the still-soaked ground could cause new slides. (LMY/AP/With reports from KAL/SunStar Philippines)